Our Hands Tied

Throughout late 2017 and early 2018 Healthwatch Hampshire sought the view of deaf people, British Sign Language interpreters, families, carers and professionals. We asked them to share their experience of accessing health services in Hampshire.

We are pleased to be able to share our report, recommendations and responses here.

You can also access a subtitled film delivered in BSL that shares some of the key findings here.

NHS 70

The National Health Service is turning 70 on 5 July 2018. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff – the everyday heroes – who are there to guide, support and care for us, day in, day out.

This short film, filmed in Aldershot, features staff and patients from across the Frimley system and features our very own Project Officer Fi Biggs!

For more information about the work NHS England are doing throughout the year click here.

Innovation Conference 2018

Healthwatch Hampshire are proud to support the Innovation Conference established by North East Hampshire and Farnham CCG.

In early 2017 Community Ambassador Valerie Fabry suggested that the community might be able to suggest small projects that had an innovative aspect to them and which could have a large impact on the health and wellbeing of local people. The CCG supported this proposal and invited groups and individuals from across North East Hampshire and Farnham to put forward projects that needed help to become reality or required a boost.

We were filming at the conference this year to highlight the impact it has on lacal communities. The film was shown at the CCG AGM in June 2018.

It Starts with You

You can make a difference. Share your views with Healthwatch and help improve health and social care services for you and your community.

Maternity Matters - Report & response now published

The Local Maternity System is undergoing changes and we are working with local maternity services to gather feedback that will help us better understand how services can be improved to ensure women have an informed and empowered choice through their pregnancy and birth.

Wessex Voices (a collaboration between local Healthwatch organisations and NHS England) were asked to carry out this wide ranging survey to understand experiences of using maternity services.

We are now pleased to publishing the final report, recommendations and response. Please click here for more information.

How does the NHS work in 2017?

The workings of the NHS are confusing, this alternative guide from The Kings Fund might help you!

This animation is a whistle-stop tour of how the NHS works in 2017 and how it’s changing.

Enter and View

Our new Enter and View programme is now under way. We are visiting care homes to assess the physical and social environments for people living with dementia. For more information about Enter and View, to get involved or to read our latest reports please click here.

NHS complaints and advocacy services

Most people are happy with the care they receive from the NHS, but sometimes things don’t go as expected. If you’re not happy with the care or treatment you’ve received, or you’ve been refused treatment for a condition, you have the right to complain, have your complaint investigated, and be given a full and prompt reply. We have created a Step-by-step guide to help you through this sometime complicated journey. If you need further help, please click here to see how our Advocacy services can help with your NHS complaint.

Care at home report

Our work on Care at Home services is now availabe for public view.

Healthwatch worked with Hampshire County Council to get a survey to everyone in Hampshire who has care services at home. Approximately 6,000 surveys were sent out by post, and the survey could also be completed on the Healthwatch website. This report gives the findings from the survey and makes recommendations for improving services.